Coaching Staff

The Coaches

Pat Mikesch

Head Coach / General Manager

Pat Mikesch enters his third season as Head Coach/GM of the Green Bay Gamblers. He is the seventh head coach/GM in the history of the franchise.

Last season under Mikesch, the Gamblers finished with the second best regular season record (37-16-4) in the 17-team United States Hockey League. The Resch Center provided quite an advantage, as the Gamblers finished with a league best 23-5-2 record on their home ice. Individually, goaltender Adam Huska set a USHL record for goals against average (1.82). Huska was also tops among all USHL goaltenders in save percentage (.931). In June, defenseman Andrew Peeke became the 47th player in team history to be drafted as the Columbus Blue Jackets selected the Parkland, FL native in the second round (34th overall) of the NHL Draft. Peeke was also named the 2016 USHL Scholar Athlete of the Year and to the 2016 USHL All-Rookie First Team.

From 2011 to 2014, Mikesch served as the team’s Associate Head Coach and Director of Player Personnel . In his first year, Mikesch was instrumental in leading the Gamblers to both the Anderson and Clark Cups, never losing consecutive games throughout the regular season or playoffs. The team’s regular season mark of 47-9-4 set a USHL Tier 1 record for wins in a season, fewest loses, points in a season (98), and road victories in a season (25). The team also made history at the annual NHL Draft as Jordan Schmaltz became the second Gambler, joining Blake Wheeler (Phoenix Coytoes/2004) to be drafted in the first round (St. Louis Blues 25th overall). At the 2014 NHL Draft, Jordan’s brother Nick, who played two seasons in Green Bay (2012-14) was selected in the first round by the Chicago Blackhawks.

Prior to the Gamblers, Mikesch spent six seasons as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Michigan Tech University of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. On the international level, Mikesch has led the United States U-17 team to three straight gold medals at the Five Nations Cup (2011, 2012 & 2013). In Mikesch’s three years behind the bench at the Five Nations Cup, the U.S. team is a perfect 15-0-0

Mikesch was a four-year member (1992-96) of Michigan Tech’s hockey team. The Hancock, Michigan native helped the Huskies to three WCHA Final Fives in four years. During his freshman campaign, Mikesch was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team as well as Michigan Tech’s Freshman of the Year. Mikesch was a three time member of the WCHA ALL-Academic Team and served as the Huskies team captain for the 1995-96 season. Mikesch is one of the most decorated players to ever adorn the Huskies jersey, as he ranks seventh all-time in scoring with 169 points (57 goals and 112 assists). After his collegiate career, Mikesch played eight years of professional hockey in the AHL, IHL, ECHL and in Germany.

Mikesch is no stranger to the USHL spending a pair of seasons with the Des Moines Buccaneers (1990-92). Mikesch was a teammate of former Gamblers head coach Eric Rud on the 1992 Buccaneers team that captured the Clark Cup.

Pat and his wife Amiee currently reside in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They have two sons, Austin and Eliott and a daughter, Kallianne.

Cody Chupp

Assistant Coach

Cody Chupp enters his third season as the team’s assistant coach. Chupp responsibilities are working with the Gambler defenseman, video analysis and scouting Prior to his time in Green Bay, Chupp served as the assistant coach at Utica College.

Last season, Chupp helped guide the Gamblers to the second best regular season record (37-16-4) in the 17-team United States Hockey League. The Resch Center provided quite an advantage, as the Gamblers finished with a league best 23-5-2 record on their home ice.

As a player, Chupp spent time in the American Hockey League with the Texas Stars (affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars). With the Stars, the Big Rapids, MI native played in 67 games tallying five goals and ten assists. Chupp finished in the AHL with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (affiliate of the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins) appearing in 15 games.

Chupp wrapped up his professional career in the East Coast Hockey League appearing in 63 games over the course of two seasons with the Wheeling Nailers. In his first season with the Nailers, he finished sixth on the team in scoring notching 34 points (17 goals, 17 assists).

At Ferris State, the Big Rapids, Michigan native was one of only two players in school history to receive the distinction of being named a two-year captain and was on the Hobey Baker Watch List in 2007-08, as one of the top players in the country. He was named the program’s rookie of the year in 2006-07 and received the team’s Lloyd Earl Award as the Bulldog’s leading scorer (2007-08). In 144 games with the Bulldogs, the local talent totaled 95 points (35 goals, 60 assists).

Lenny Hofmann

Director of Scouting

Hofmann enters his third season as the Director of Scouting for the Gamblers. Prior to his time in Green Bay, Hofmann worked for the USHL serving as the league’s Manager or Player Development. Hofmann also spent time as an assistant coach with the Tri City Storm (2012-13), as well as at the NCAA Division III level with alma mater, St. Mary’s (2004-08) and St. Scholastica (2008-10)

Hofmann has roots in the USHL as he played for the Dubuque Fighting Saints during the 1999-2000 season. After one season in Dubuque, Hofmann took his talents to the collegiate level, suiting up for the St. Mary’s Cardinals. The Sartell, Minnesota native appeared in 98 games for the Cardinals from 2000-2004, tallying 97 points (36 goals & 61 assists). Hofmann garnered MIAC All-Conference honors during his senior campaign.

Jason Aldrich- CSCS, CPR, AED

Strength and Conditioning Coach

Jason Aldrich is in his fifth year as the Gamblers strength and conditioning coach. Prior to joining the Gamblers, Aldrich was a graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach for all sports at Michigan Tech University. The Hancock, Michigan native worked at the NHL level with the San Jose Sharks, serving as an intern strength coach. As a player, Aldrich appeared in 86 games from 2004-08 for Finlandia University in Hancock, Michigan, registering 22 goals and 23 assists. Aldrich played his midget hockey for former Gamblers head coach Jon Cooper

Jeff Weintraub

Video Coach

Jeff Weintraub enters his second season as the Video Coach for the Gamblers.

Weintraub spent the 2014-2015 season at the University of Michigan serving on the team’s hockey analytics group. His duties included filming games and practice. He also compiled game stats as well as pre-scout opponents throughout the season.

Carl Lackey

Honorary Coach

Carl Lackey enters his 12th year as the Gamblers honorary coach.

Lackey played his collegiate hockey at Michigan State University under legendary coach Amo Bessone. The Sault Ste. Marie,Michigan native captained the Spartans in 1964. That same season, Lackey garnered First Team All American Honors. A draft choice of the Detroit Red Wings, Lackey played 10 years of professional, seven of which were spent with the Green Bay Bobcats. Lackey also represented the United Statesat the 1969 World Championships in Sweden and again in 1974 in Yugoslavia.

A member of the Upper Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame, Lackey retired from professional hockey in 1974. After his playing career, Lackey remained in the Green Bay area serving as Guidance Counselor at Green Bay East, Preble and Southwest High Schools.